WARRANTY REJECTED!? 2020 Silverado 1500 3.0 Duramax Engine DESTROYED at JUST 45K MILES! LM2 Teardown

Every week I post a new engine teardown. These are engines that have failed or thought to have failed and we try to discover what happened, why it happened, and what parts survived. Here are a few of my favorites!

Today we tear into a 3.0L Duramax Inline 6 Turbodiesel from a 2020 Silverado 1500. Known as the LM2, 2020 was the first year this 277hp, 460ftlbs of torque 6 cylinder is the first half ton diesel GM has made in decades. This particular engine died at JUST 45k Miles! STILL UNDER WARRANTY? Right? These trucks come with a 5 year, 60k mile warranty so how did this engine end up on my stand? Well I believe this failure was NOT covered by the manufacturer. Not all failure scenarios are the manufacturers fault. Abuse, Neglect, Modifications are some of the reasons a claim may be rejected.
In this case, this engine was brought in with the torque converter stuck on it, completely locked up. Due to its design, getting the engine to turn over to get the converter off was quite laborious, which is likely why whoever replaced the engine opted to replace the torque converter with a new one.
So WHAT HAPPENED? This engine has TONS of damage, but what caused this failure, and why do we think it wasn't covered?

Why am I doing this? My name is Eric and I own and run a full service auto recycler. Part of our model includes dismantling bad, blown and core engines to salvage the good parts for resale. We do not rebuild or repair engines, merely supply parts to those who do!

I really hope you enjoyed this teardown, as always I love all of the comments, feedback and even the criticism. Catch you all on the next one!

-Eric

[edifyguy]

I actually like a lot of things about this engine. This was tuned. Someone thought they were going to get a lot of extra horsepower cheap. Then things went boom, and they discovered how expensive those extra horsepower really are. Thanks for sticking with it and getting it apart, and bringing us along!

[johntrout]

GM parts guy here. The truck has had an interesting life so far lol It was sold in Montana in July of 2020. It had a couple oil changes at the dealership from which it was sold, had a couple warranty claims done for sensors and stuff failing in the exhaust system. It goes dark for a while, then fast forward four years to February of this year then it pops up in Arizona for a DPF replacement. Then here we are today with a blown engine. I'm surprised by how 'cheap' a new long block is as well. It's only $3, 400. The more you know.

[TheKajunkat]

When those engines were announced I was excited about them. A diesel in a 1500 was a perfect truck combo for me. They made the mistake of showing a x-ray view of the engine on line. Three timing chains and an oil pump BELT in the back of the engine. No way, the engineers were smoking crack.

[BDKennels]

I come here for the fun. With all that's happening in America and around the world, I need your humor and great attitude. A very sincere Thank You. I hope you never stop.

[davidgrisco]

When "BLUE" makes his first appearance it's like when the coach brings his best player off the bench to the playing field. The crowd takes notice and chants, "...go, Blue, you can do it!"

[cricketyosh]

I'm so glad you don't do advertisements or channel sponsors. But sourcing that pry bar and slapping a CriCut sticker with the word 'blue' on it would be awesome.

[Bxud]

Thank you Eric for your sleuthing abilities, we appreciate your unwavering commitment to finding details and the truth.

[lunar]

“Unsatisfied not knowing the mileage of a 4 year old engine. That’s preposterous!” Always killing me Eric

[Renville]

When Eric said 'Let's give it a little brap' when getting ready to use the impact wrench to loosen a bolt, I was reminded of a remark I read on some vehicle restoration blog years ago where the writer opined that an impact wrench sounded like a robot breaking wind... :)

[merlinglennon]

Definitely a tune it that engine! As a gm tech, gm provides documentation on what to look for on Dmax engines with pictures for damage caused by modifications. That piston damage is over fueling. I am also a turner, that ECM would have needed to be sent to HP Tuners to get unlocked. So i think once they found some engine damage, the dealer scanned the vehicle and found a modified tune, NO WARRANTY. 52:42

[thelonelywolf]

The fact that you blurred out that mysterious fox's face had me rolling😂

[disgruntledfaerie]

Laughing at the Carfax Fox's face being blurred. 🤣

[mousehole]

As someone that probably helped assemble this engine it brings me joy watching you take it apart

[morelanmn]

I find your videos so relaxing. Your main object is to teach people that do not have access to these engines.
Thank You.

[SebBrosig]

Eric dated a timing chain guide in high school but she left him for a water pump. This can be the only explanation of his ongoing vendetta.

[MultiTelan]

Guy at work sings the praises of this motor. Less than two years old, he's on his third turbo.

[gtpanoz]

No Piston McNuggets this week but we get a 3-piece Crispy Piston meal instead.

The one that melted though the piston rings is a work of art.

[kalybnielsen]

My brother bought a truck 8 months ago with that engine, it was in his driveway for about 4 hours, check engine light came on, went into limp mode and the truck was sent off to the dealership up north, he got the truck back about 2 weeks ago because they have been waiting for that coolant control, GM was making his truck payment the entire time, they called him once a week to update him and tell him that the part was not yet available. Apparently it's made of unobtainium and the backorder list is extensive

[WhodatnTx]

As an OLD mechanic, very old, it’s just complete insanity looking at all that stuff you have to remove just to get to the motor. I definitely lived in the right time ( for me anyway) cause there’s no way I would fight all that to be a tech nowadays!!!

[ragehelsel]

I love how you still show care to the order on those main caps even though the block is shot.